Garage door



Oct. 30, 1945. v. E. REDDING ET AL GARAGE DOOR Filed June 28, ,1945 2 Sheets-Sheet l BYWaZZds 0.

ATTCI R N EYS Patented Oct. 30, 1945 enliven ra ars 2,388,182

GrZl-RAGEDQQR Victor E. Bedding and Willis 6. l-Jzliclhaelis,

Minneapohs,

Application June 28, 1943, No 492,564

, Our invention relates to garage doors and he like, and has among its objects and advantag s the provision of an improved electric circuit for opening and closing the door.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure l is a vertical sectional view through a garage illustrating our invention applied thereto;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the structure of Figured;

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 but illustrating a difierent form of driving connection between the motor and the door-lifting means;

and

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic view of the electric circuit.

In the embodiment selected for illustration, Figure 1 illustrates a garage 16 having a door it for closing the door opening it. Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a horizontal track. 16 secured to the garage wall l8. Two such tracks are employed, one for each side of the door. Since both tracks are of the same construction, the description of one will apply to both. In Figure 2, a wheel 20 is carried by a bearing 22 secured to the door l2. When swung to an open position, the door [2 lies overhead and its two wheels ride on the tracks it.

One end, of a. lever 24 is pivotally mounted at 26 to the door l2 intermediate its top and bottom ends, with theopposite end of the lever pivotally connected at 28 to the garage wall it. One end of a tension spring 30 is connected withv the lever 2t and its opposite end connected at 32 to the wall structure of the garage. Movement of the door E2 to its. open position pivots the lever 26 upwardlypwhich movement places the door l2 in -a horizontal position when fully opened. The

spring 30 exerts a pull on the lever 25} for urging the door to its closed position.

Upon a platform 35 inside the garage is mounted a reversible electric motor 36, which motor drives a. large grooved wheel 3'8 through the medium of a V belt 40. A small grooved wheel 62 rotates, as a unit with the wheel 38 and connects with a v belt it passing around a grooved wheel 58. Figure 2 illustrates the wheels 38 and 42 as being mounted on a shaft it supported in bearings St. The wheel 45 is mounted on a shaft 52 supported in bearings 5 3. To the shaft 52 is fixedly secured a drum 56 to which is connected one end of a door opening cable 58, the other end of the cable being connected with an eye 68 secured to the door at its upper end. Thus rotation of the drum 56 in one direction winds the cable on the drum for moving the door to its open position.

Upon the wall is and in the path oi the lever 26 are two limit switches 62 and 6t. Lever 26 is brought into engagement with the limit switch 62 as the door i2 reaches a closed position ior' through the motor 38. While balanced arrangement of opening the circuit the spring 36 and the the door I! tend to move the door to a closed position, the motor 35 is operated during the closing movement of the door for the purpose of unwinding the cable 58 and turning the belt drive. The frictional resistance of these parts exceeds the closing forces acting on the door. When the door is swung to its fully opened position, the lever 26 engages the limit switch M for breaking the circuit through the motor. Both limit switches 62 and filjautomatically take closed positions in the absence of lever pressure.

In Figure 4, line wires 66 and 68 connect with the primary winding ll! of a transformer 12. To the wire 68 is connected a wire 14 connected with a wire 16 connected with a terminal I8 of the limit switch 62. The opposite end of the wire 16 is connected with a terminal Bll of the limit switch 83. Wire 16 is connected at 82 with a wire 84 having one end connected with a ter-- minal 86 of the limit switch 62 and its opposite end connected with a terminal 88 of the limit switch as. v

To the wire '36 is connected one end oi a wire 90 electrically connected with stationary contacts 92 and @5 5 of a reversing switch 36. A wire 98 electrically connects the wire 9E3 with stationary contacts liit and it? of the reversing switch A wire tilt electrically connects a stationary contact 11% with a terminal 538 oi the limit switch 66. The fourth terminal lid of the limit switch fit is electrically connected with a wire M2 leading to a fixed contact ii l. To a fixed contact lit is connected a wire i l8 leading to a terminal ltd of the limit switch $2, the iourth terminal 2322 of this limit switch being connected with a wire lZd leading to a fixed contact Me.

A movable switch element in is provided with contacts H3, 932, i311 and E38. Switch element are is normally biased to its position of Figure 4 through the medium of a tension spring 138. In the normal position of the switch element, the contact engages the contact M4, the contact H32 engages the contact 95, the contact l34 engages the contact WB and the contact E36 engages the contact IE5. In the other position of the switch element 828, contact I30 engages the contact H6, contact l32 engages the contact 92, the contact 34 engages the contact E26 and the contact I36 engages the contact 5%. This may be brought about through energization of a relay I02 acting on a body 560 at- V 608 having a core tached to the switch element.

Contacts I30 and I32 are respectively provided with wires I06 and I 38 leading to the armature of the motor 36. Contacts I90 and I36 are respectively provided with wires I 50 and E82 leading to the field of the motor 36.

Limit switch 62 is provided with a switch element I68 having a blade I56 pivoted to the terminal 18 and arranged for electrical engagement with the terminal I20 when the lever 28 is moved out of engagement with the element I 54. Switch element I58 is biased to a. closed position when the lever 24 is moved out of engagement therewith. Switch element I154 also includes a blade I 68 pivotally connected with the terminal I 22 and arranged for engagement with the terminal 86 in the absence of lever pressure on the switch element. Limit switch 64 includes'a. switch element I68 having blades I62 and I64 respectively pivotally connected with the terminals 80 and I08. Blades I62 and IE4 are respectively moved into engagement with the terminals H and 88 in the absence of lever pressure on the switch element I60. Movement of the door to a closed position brings the lever 20 into engagement with the switch element I60 for moving the blades I62 and I 60 out of engagement with the terminals l I 0 and 88. respectively.

In the closed position of the door I2, 9. pin I66 on the lever 24 engages underneath a hook I68 on a flexible member I mounted on a support I12. Member I10 may be flexed to release the pin I66 through energization of a relay I14, this relay being connected with wires I16 and I18. Wire I16 leads to a second relay I80 for flexing a hook member I82into the path of the pin I66 as the door is moved to an open position. Deenergization of the relay I80 releases the member I82 to the position of Figure 4. One end of the member I82 is mounted on a support I84, and the member is flexible to operate in her I10. A wire I86 leads from the relay I80 to a wire I88 having one end connected with a. fixed contact I80 of a switch I92 and its other end leading to the relay I40. The second wire I94 of the relay I 40 is connected with a wire I96 of the secondary winding I98. Wire I18 is connected with the wire I94. Wire I96 leads to a relay 200 of the switch I92. and the second wire 202 of the relay is electrically connected with contacts 204 and 208 of control switches 208 and 2I0, respectively. The second wire 2I2 of the secondary winding I96 is electrically connected with contacts 2I4 and 2"; of the control switches 208 and 2I0, respectively. A wire 2I8 connects the wire 2I2 with a switch element 220 having a contact 222 arranged to be moved into engagement with the contact I90 through energization of the relay 200, which electrically connects the contact I90 with the secondary winding I98. Switch 208 is provided with a switch element 224 arranged for selective engagement with the contacts 204 and 2 and connected with a wire 226 electrically connected with a switch element 228 of the control switch 2I0. Such element 2281s arranged for selective engagement with the contacts 206 and 2| 6.

Switch 208 is preferably mounted on one wall of the garage, as illustrated in Figure 1. The switch 2I0 is incorporated in the driveway 230 leading to the door of the garage.

Switch element 228 is rotatably mounted on a pin 23I for rotation about a vertical axis. Switch the manner of the memaseaiea element 222 constitutes a bar magnet balanced so that one end thereof drags on the insulative door 892 oil a box 834 enclosing the switch structure. To move the switch element 228 into selective engagement with the contacts 206 and 2I8, a magnetic actuator 835 is provided. This actuator Is mounted on the vehicle to be housed in the garage Ill. The actuator 235 comprises a vertical rod 236 slidable in a suitable opening in the floor board 238 of the vehicle. A compression nut 240 may be provided for supporting the rod 236 in different positions. To the lower end of the rod 238 is connected a bar magnet 242 which normally lies adjacent the floor board. Rod 236 is preferably of brass and is provided with a handle 244 so that the bar magnet 242 may be rotated about the axis of the rod 236.

dle with the exception that the-bar is frictionally restrained from rotation to prevent it from turning to a north-south position. Switch element 228 may be rotated through rotation of the magnet bar 242 for bringing the switch element into selective engagement with the contacts 206 and 2I6. Figure l dotted line position, in addition to its normal position underneath the floor 238, which brings the bar magnet in closer relationship with the control switch 2I0, so as to render the bar magnet more efiective in influencing the switch element 228.

In Figure 4, rotation f the switch element 228 into engagement with the contact 2I6 closes the circuit through the relay 200. Energization of this relay brings the contact 222 into engagement with the contact I90 so as to electrically connect the secondary winding I98 with the relay I40, the wire I94 connecting this relay with the wire I96 leading to the secondary winding. As the relay 200 is energized, the relays I14 and I are also energized for respectively unlatching the lever 24 and bringing the member I82 into the path of the pin I66 as the lever 24 pivots with the door to an open position. Energization of the relay I40 shifts the switch element I 28 to bring its contacts I30, I32, I34 and I36 into respective engagement with the contacts H6, 92, I26 and I00. Such movement of the switch element I28 passes current to the motor 36 so that the latter may operate the drum 56 and lift the door I2 to an open position. Both switch elements I 54 and I 60 are in closed positions during movement of the door to its open position. However, the contacts I30, I32, I34 and I36 are spaced from the contacts H4, 94, I02 and I06, respectively, so that the motor 36 will turn in a door opening position only. As the door is moved to a full open position, the switch element I60 is moved to an open position through engagement with the door to break the circuit through the motor 36.

With the vehicle positioned inside the garage, the switch element 224 is moved into engagement with the contact 2, the switch element 228 remaining in engagement with the contact 2I6, which breaks the circuit through the relay I40 as well as through the relays I14, I80 and 200. Spring I38 moves the switch element I28 to the position of Figure 4 which energizes the motor for rotation in the opposite direction. The motor will continue operating until the door I2 is brought into engagement with the switch element I54 for breaking the circuit through the motor.

Rotation of the switch element 228 is easily effected through rotation of the bar magnet 242 to shift its poles and impart rotation to the switch element 228. Thus the switch 2lll may be actuated from a position inside the car, both when the vehicle is to be driven into the garage as well as after it has been driven to a position exteriorly thereof on the runway 230. With the vehicle inside the garage and the door I2 in a closed position, the door is opened through actuation of the switch 208.

By arranging the bar magnet 242 and the switch element 228 at different angles, it is possible to make any number of combinations so that the bar magnet on one car will be ineffective with respect to a magnet switch 2!!) of another owners garage. Because of the small current carrying capacity of the magnetic switch 2lli, the sensitive relay 200 operates to engage the contacts 222 and I90 for lectrically connecting the wires I88 and M8 with the wire 212 leading to the secondary winding i98.

Figure 3 illustrates a modified form of driving connection between the motor 35 and the wheel 46, wherein a belt 246 connects the motor driven wheel 248 with the wheel 46 in lieu of the twobelt drive of Figure 2.

Without further elaboration, the foregoing will so fully illustrate our invention, that others may, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt the same for use under various conditions oi service.

We claim:

The combination of a garage door, a reversible motor operatively connected with the door to move the latter to open and closed positions, an electric circuit having a reversing switch connected with the motor, a closed door limit switch and an open door limit switch respectively opened through movement of the door to closed and opened positions, a transformer circuit connected with said first mentioned circuit, a relay means for actuating said reversing switch, a relay actuated switch electrically connecting said relay means with said transformer circuit, first and second switches interposed in said transformer circuit electrically connected with said relay actuated switch to selectively energize and deenergize said relay means to actuate said reversing switch, a member for actuating said circuit switches connected to the door for operation thereby to actuate the open door limit switch when the door reaches open position, means for moving said member during the closing of the door to actuate said closed door circuit switch when the door reaches closed position, latches cooperating with said switch actuating member for latching the door in its closed and open positions, and relay means electrically connected with said first and second switches for actuating the latches.

VICTOR E. BEDDING. WILLIS C. MCHAEHS. 

